by Scott Barr
On the morning of October 10th, 2012, ULI Atlanta’s Young Leaders Group and Executive Director Jeff DuFresne were fortunate to meet with Lance Patterson for the fourth and final Learn from the Best series event of 2012. Lance, who founded Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group in 2010, hosted 20 young leaders at his office and took us through the steps of his career from banking in Dallas and St. Louis to First Fidelity and Barry Real Estate in Atlanta in additional to ULI Atlanta Chairman, and now founding and growing his own firm.
A few of the ideas and lessons learned that he shared with the group include:
- Trust is paramount. Don’t hide the issues with your projects or people will see right through you. Leading with the bad parts can encourage trust and build relationships.
- It is best to be humble and show focus for your client rather than tooting your own horn. It is more effective when others sing your praises and toot your horn.
- Seek out mentors in or outside your company you can talk to, observe, and learn from.
- Leadership is about serving people, side by side, not leaving them all the hard work and going golfing.
- When times are good and everyone is making money, you’re still making mistakes but they are not as noticed. Have to maintain focus in the good times.
- Deals do not move fast. They always take months if not years. And they don’t turn out how you think they will or should.
- If you are serious about starting your own firm, go all in. Get office space, spend some money, and show potential clients you are serious.
- You have to find time to plan ahead for your firm if you want to be the best.
Thank you to Lance Patterson as well as all of the attendees for a successful and educational event.
ULI Atlanta YLG 